Let This Mykonos Wedding Show You How To Tie The Knot In Style
Planning to tie the knot in Mykonos? Julia Hussein’s ultra-luxe nuptials were picture perfect in every way – see how she celebrated her once-in-a-lifetime day
Julia Hussein and Ahmad Balhas are a pictureperfect couple who met by complete coincidence while holidaying in Mykonos and are now living happily ever after…
Their chance meeting in the summer of 2022 took Palestinian Julia, and Lebanese Ahmad by surprise. “It was completely unexpected” explains Julia. “We had both planned to spend the day with our own friends, but fate had other plans. We ended up at a beach club on that magical day and when our eyes met, there was an undeniable connection. From that moment, everything felt right – as if we had known each other forever.”
The pair dated for (just under) two years before Ahmad popped the question in Dubai. Julia recalls, “It was such a magical night. Ahmad had planned a beautiful candlelit evening with our planner, Artemis Armelia Weddings, surrounded by hundreds of candles and gorgeous all-white roses with the iconic Dubai skyline in the background. Our closest friends were all there, which made the proposal even more special. The atmosphere was so dreamy, and when Ahmad got down on one knee, I got so emotional. It was the easiest ‘yes’ I’ve ever said!”
The couple’s decision on where to get married was an easy one, choosing the Greek island of Mykonos where they met two years earlier. “It felt like destiny to return and say our vows on the two-year anniversary of our meeting. It was like coming full circle and felt so right. Returning to this island brought back so many memories while helping us create new, unforgettable ones with our close friends and family,” reminisces Julia. The wedding theme was Modern Elegance and was brought to life by a team specialising in destination weddings: “We had the best team! Artemis from Artemis Armelia Weddings handled everything, from conceptualising and designing our day, to coordination and planning – making sure all the details were perfect. I can’t imagine doing it without them,” said Julia.
The couple had their religious ceremony in Lebanon in June and invited 50 of their closest friends to the Greek island celebration. “The ceremony was everything we dreamed of. We exchanged our vows at a private seaside villa as the sun began to set, it felt intimate and surreal, like something out of a dream. We had a pianist playing our favourite songs and our aisle was surrounded by hundreds of white roses,” Julia tells us.
The bride wore a custom-designed gown by Marmar Halim, and had a second gown by Noyeliah. The couple also had a pre-wedding photoshoot, where the bride wore another custom piece by Nicole and Felicia. Julia’s jewellery sparkled with diamonds and was made bespoke by her family jeweller. For her bouquet Julia chose: “Lily of the Valley, my favourite flower. I’ve always loved its delicate beauty, and it added a personal, romantic touch to the day.”
Julia walked down the aisle to an orchestral cover of Enchanted by Joseph William Morgan and had a surprise singer perform Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You as the newlyweds’ friends escorted the couple to the Champagne tower. Julia remembers: “It was such a fun moment, full of dancing and celebration. For the reception, we had a DJ mixing house, Arabic, and international hits that kept the energy high all night long.” Guests dined on a Mediterranean feast of fresh seafood, grilled meats, salads, and pasta, with a custom-made cake the couple had conceived themselves.
“Our cake was a simple, yet elegant three-tiered design. Each tier had a unique flavor: lemon and raspberry, vanilla, and chocolate hazelnut. We had a few tastings to find the perfect combination, it was worth every bite!” smiles Julia.
The couple honeymooned in Monaco which according to the bride was “the perfect place to unwind and celebrate the beginning of our married life.”
Thinking back on the wedding weekend, Julia offers some thoughtful advice for future brides-to-be: “The day goes by in a flash, so make sure to pause, take a breath, and savour the moments.”
Photography by Anna Rouses
From Harpers Bazaar Arabia’s Bride Autumn/Winter 2024 Issue